Butt splicing of elastomeric sheets

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method are described for forming and reinforcing a butt splice ( 21 ) along the abutting edges ( 18, 20 ) of two elastomeric sheets ( 12, 14 ) which typically contain a plurality of reinforcing cords ( 16 ) extending parallel to one another and to the abutting edges ( 18, 20 ) of the sheets. Each butt splice ( 21 ) is reinforced with a splice strip ( 22, 24 ) which bridges the butt splice. The splice strip ( 22, 24 ) is applied to the butt splice ( 21 ) using a splice applicating device ( 60 ) containing at least one and preferably two applicator heads ( 66, 68 ) which move from a splice strip load position P 1  to a third position P 3  where an applicator head can press the splice strip ( 22, 24 ) into contact with the butt splice ( 21 ). First, the applicator heads ( 66, 68 ) rotate about an axis between the load position P 1  and a second position P 2  spaced from the butt splice ( 21 ). Then, one of the heads ( 66, 68 ) reciprocates toward and away from the splice strip application position P 3 . The splice strip ( 22, 24 ) is held on the applicator head ( 66, 68 ) by vacuum until the splice strip is pressed against and adhered to the butt splice ( 21 ) at which time the vacuum is released and the applicator head ( 66, 68 ) is withdrawn.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the building of a pneumatic tire, andconcerns a method and apparatus for reinforcing a butt splice along theedges of two reinforced elastomeric sheets to form an elastomeric membersuch as that used in the tire industry for the manufacture of a tirecarcass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As conventionally known in the tire manufacturing art, it is a commonpractice to join or splice the edges of two reinforced elastomericsheets to form an elastomeric member used for the manufacture of a tirecarcass.

Each of the reinforced elastomeric sheets contains a plurality ofparallel reinforcing cords encapsulated within an unvulcanized syntheticor natural rubber. The reinforcing cords are substantially equal indiameter and evenly spaced between one another within the sheet. For themanufacture of a tire carcass, particularly when producing radial plytires, the elastomeric sheets are typically cut into rectangles, whichare then assembled to each other by means of a splice along adjoiningedges of two adjacent sheets, the splice being parallel to thereinforcing cords.

Two commonly used splices join the edges of adjacent sheets are the buttsplice and the overlap splice. The butt splice is formed by pressing oneedge of one sheet against an adjacent edge of a second sheet andsecuring them together by mechanical or physical means, i.e. pressingthem together to ensure that they are securely bonded. The overlapsplice is made by covering an edge of one sheet by an adjacent edge of asecond sheet, and applying pressure to the splice area which includesthe overlapped region to ensure a secure bond. The double thickness ofthe overlap splice in the splice area has several drawbacks. Theseinclude the uneven elongation of the elastomeric member due to thedifference in elongation of the narrow region of double thickness ascompared with the elongation of the elastomeric member in the region ofsingle thickness. This difference in elongation can lead to the creationof a non-uniformity in the resultant tire.

The butt splice overcomes the drawbacks of the overlap splice, i.e. hasa single thickness. However, the smaller contact surface between theadjacent edges of the two sheets being assembled together inherentlycreates a weaker bond between the two sheets than the bond formed withthe overlap splice. Also, a successful butt splice is more difficult toconsistently achieve in a manufacturing environment as it depends on theproper preparation of the edges of the elastomeric sheet to ensure thatthe spacing between the cords at the two adjoined edges of the buttsplice is no greater and no less than the spacing between the remainingcords in the sheets. Either condition, i.e. the spacing between cordsalong the edges of the two sheets being assembled being either greateror less than the spacing of the other cords in the two sheets, canresult in non-uniform strength across the resulting elastomeric member,uneven stretching of the elastomeric member during its expansion whileforming the tire carcass, and a greater likelihood of splice failure inthe resultant tire.

Another approach toward reducing or eliminating the problems associatedwith effectively splicing together two reinforced elastomeric sheets isto bridge the butt splice with a reinforcing strip extending the lengthof the splice. This approach provides a partial solution to the problembecause it was always accomplished by manually applying the reinforcingstrip. Until now, no one has been able to effectively apply thereinforcing strip in a manufacturing environment. Moreover, the manualapplication of the reinforcing strip was not a completely satisfactorysolution because of the inherent variations in the thickness and lengthof the reinforcing strip and the added manufacturing time and costsassociated with the manual application of the reinforcing strip.

A further attempt to reduce the adverse effects of using a reinforcingstrip to bridge the butt splice of reinforced elastomeric articles isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,462 ('462), issued Nov. 5, 1991 andhaving a common assignee with the present invention. This '462 patentdescribes the use of a thin splicing strip made from a spun bondedmaterial having stress/ strain/ expansion characteristics closelyresembling those of the elastomer in the article. The splicing strip ismanually applied across the area being spliced, contributing toincreasing the labor costs associated with construction of a tire usinga butt splice.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,066 ('066), issued May 4, 1982, describes a tapesplicing apparatus in which two tapes are joined by splicing tape. Theapparatus addresses a problem of entrapping air bubbles under thesplicing tape. A drum body (59) holds a splicing tape segment (T₃) bysuction pressure applied through holes in the peripheral surface of thedrum. The drum is lowered into a splicing position to press the stickyside of the tape segment against the abutting tape joint, and the tapesegment is initially attached along only a single line. It is frequentlyobserved that only the portion of the splicing tape segment whichcorresponds to the butt joint is stuck to the abutted tapes, with theremaining portion(s) left curled upwardly (see column 10, lines 29-34).A separate mechanism, in the form of a movable depressing roller (94),then presses the splicing tape segment, which was initially attachedalong only the single line, in forward then rearward directions from thecenter of the joint so that no air can be entrapped under the splicingtape. (see Abstract)

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus for applying a splice strip along a butt splice of twoelastomeric sheets as defined in one or more of the appended claims and,as such, having the capability of accomplishing one or more of thefollowing subsidiary objects.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for improving the repeatability and reliability of the buttsplice of reinforced elastomeric sheets.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for increasing the rate for butt splicing reinforcedelastomeric sheets while concomitantly reducing the labor costs and theoverall expense of effectively splicing the two sheets together.

The present invention relates to a method of butt splicing the edges oftwo elastomeric sheets. The elastomeric sheet can be, if desired,reinforced with parallel cords of a non-metallic material such aspolyester, cotton, rayon, nylon or aramid or of a metallic material suchas for example filaments of steel which have been plated with brass. Inthe reinforced elastomeric sheets, the cords run parallel to one anotherand to the edges of the sheets being assembled together, and are evenlyspaced from one to another in the sheets. The method includes the stepsof securing adjacent edges of two elastomeric sheets together with thebutt splicing technique. Then a thin splice strip of an uncuredelastomer such as gum rubber, preferably reinforced with cords or anon-woven fabric, is applied across the butt splice securing theelastomeric sheets together. This is accomplished by first locating thesplice strip onto an applicator head and holding it in place by avacuum. The applicator head is then moved to press the splice stripagainst the butt splice. After the splice strip is securely in place,the vacuum is removed to release the splice strip from the applicatorhead and the applicator head returns to pick up another splice strip.

The applicator head is preferably rotated from a first load positionwhere the splice strip is loaded on the head to a second position inclose proximity to the butt splice. From there, the applicator head ismoved to a third position where the splice strip can be pressed intocontact with the butt splice. The splice strip is preferably the samelength as the butt splice.

A second splice strip is loaded onto a second applicator head in theload position while the first applicator head is in the second positioneither before or after applying the splice strip onto the butt splicewith the first applicator head. The second splice strip is held to thesecond head by vacuum in the same manner as the first splice strip is tothe first head. The second applicator head is rotated into the secondposition as the first applicator head is rotated away from the secondposition in proximity to the butt splice and back to the load position.The second splice strip is then pressed into contact with a second buttsplice and the vacuum is released to free the second splice strip fromthe second applicator head. The first and second applicator heads can bemoved between the first load position and the second position byoscillating back and forth through an arc of 180° or by rotating in thesame direction, and stopping each 180° to load one splice strip onto oneapplicator head while the other applicator head is at the secondposition above the third location while the other splice strip isapplied onto the second butt splice.

The invention further includes a method of reinforcing a butt splicealong the edges of two adjacently disposed elastomeric sheets,comprising the following steps. A splice strip is loaded on anapplicator head at a first load position. The applicator head is movedto press the splice strip into contact with the butt splice. Theapplicator head is moved from the first load position to a secondposition in proximity to the butt splice. Then the applicator head ismoved to a third position where the splice strip is first pressed intocontact with the butt splice and subsequently the vacuum is released.Next, the splice strip is released from the applicator head by releasingthe vacuum pressure used to hold the splice strip on the applicatorhead. The method can further include the additional steps of placing asecond splice strip on a second applicator head in the load position;moving the first applicator head away from the butt splice afterreleasing the first splice strip; moving the second applicator head tothe second position and then to the third position to press the secondsplice strip into contact with a second butt splice; and releasing thesecond splice strip from the second applicator head. The firstapplicator head and the second applicator head are oscillated or rotatedthrough an arc of 180° between the first load position and the secondposition.

The invention also includes a splice strip applicating device forapplying a splice strip over a butt splice. The device comprises a firstapplicator head, structure for applying and temporarily holding a splicestrip in a first load position on the first applicator head, structurefor moving the first applicator head to a second position into pressurecontact with the butt splice, and structure for releasing the splicestrip from the first applicator head. The device preferably includes asecond applicator head disposed so that the first and second applicatorheads are mounted in diametrically opposed relationship to one anotherwith respect to the axis a shaft adapted for rotating or oscillatingmovement about the axis of the shaft. This arrangement of the splicestrip applicating device permits the first applicator head to be in thesplice strip load position while the second applicator head is in thesecond position 180° around the axis and in close proximity to the buttsplice. The device includes a dispenser for feeding a length of thesplice strip onto either of the applicator heads in the load position.It also includes a gripper to clamp on to a length of splice strip andto load the splice strip on one applicator head, and a cutter to cut thesplice strip to a predetermined length while being held on an applicatorhead.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation, and advantages of the invention will becomefurther apparent upon consideration of the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional end view of a butt splice between twoelastomeric sheets reinforced with a splice strip in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a butt splice applicating deviceapplying a splice strip to a butt splice region of two elastomericsheets in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are elevational views showing the sequential steps informing and reinforcing butt splices; and

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, partially in cross section, showingdetails of the applicator heads.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:“Reinforced elastomeric sheet” means a sheet of natural or syntheticrubber containing a plurality of reinforcing cords encapsulated in therubber, extending in a longitudinal direction, the cords being equallyspaced from one another across the width of the sheet, parallel to oneanother and to the edges of the sheet; “Elastomeric member” means acomposite of two or more reinforced elastomeric sheets which are splicedalong their adjoining edges; and “Reinforcing cords” are cords made fromnatural or synthetic fibers such as cotton, rayon, polyester, nylon oraramid, or from steel or other metal wires or filaments which arebraided, twisted or woven together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to joining the edges of two elastomeric sheets ofthe type used in a construction of a pneumatic tire. More particularly,the present invention relates to splicing together adjacent reinforcedelastomeric sheets, each containing a plurality of parallel extending,reinforcing cords encapsulated in an elastomeric material such as anatural or synthetic rubber compound. All of the reinforcing cords aresubstantially equal in diameter and equally spaced from each other. Thedensity of reinforcing members is stated in terms of ends per centimeter(epc) or ends per inch (epi) and is defined as the number of reinforcingmembers per unit length, as counted in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction of the reinforcing members. A cord densitybetween about 3.2 epc (8 epi) and about 12.8 epc (32 epi) isconventionally used for reinforcing elastomeric members used to maketire carcass plies. Typically, the reinforcing cords are made fromsuitable materials such as cotton, polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid,fiberglass or metal. A suitable metal comprises filaments of steel whichhave been plated with brass to provide better adhesion to rubber. Thecords are encapsulated in a natural or a synthetic rubber compound.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectionalview of a portion of an elastomeric member 10 produced by splicing tworeinforced elastomeric sheets 12, 14 with a butt splice 21. The buttsplice 21 is formed along the adjacent edges of the ends 18, 20 of thetwo reinforced elastomeric sheets 12, 14, respectively. Each elastomericsheet 12,14 contains reinforcing cords 16. The cords 16 are embedded ina suitable elastomeric material 17 such as natural rubber, Neoprene orbutadiene compounded with additives such as antioxidants, extenders,carbon black, fillers, and curing agents. The cords 16 in each sheet 12,14 are parallel to one another and are evenly spaced by a distance D₁.The cords 16 are also parallel to the edges 18,20 of the sheets 12,14respectively, and preferably separated therefrom by a thickness ofelastomer equal to ½ D₁ as shown in FIG. 1.

The two reinforced sheets 12, 14 are bonded together by a butt splice 21to form the elastomeric member 10. Conventional wisdom dictates that thespacing D₂ between the cords 16 on either side of the splice 21 be equalto the interval spacing D₁ between the cords within each sheet 12,14. Inthis manner, the uniformity of the reinforced elastomeric member 10across its width is preserved. If the spacing D₂ is less or more thanD₁, the properties of the elastomeric member 10 in the splice area 23are different than elsewhere throughout the elastomeric member, asdiscussed herein before.

Referring to FIG. 2, the splicing machine or equipment 30 used for buttsplicing two reinforced sheets 12,14 together is shown in perspective.The splicing equipment 30 includes a first conveyor belt 32 movingaround two or more rollers 34, and a second conveyor belt 40 movingaround two or more rollers 42. An anvil 46 is positioned between theconveyor belts 32, 40 with the top surface 52 of the anvil coplanar withboth the top surface 54 of the first conveyer belt 32 and the topsurface 56 of the second conveyer belt 40. A pair of diagonally movablesplicing bars 48, 50 are spaced above the conveyor belts 32, 40 and theanvil 46. The splicing bars 48, 50 are adapted to reciprocate in adirection back and forth with respect to the anvil surface 52 as shownby the arrows 53,55. The bars 48,50 push against the two sheets 12, 14,respectively, near their edges 18,20 and cause the sheets to slide overthe surface 52 of anvil 46 so that the edges 18,20 are forced into oneanother to form the butt splice 21.

The splicing equipment 30 of the present invention includes a splicestrip applicating device 60 that is preferably positioned immediatelyabove the anvil 46. The splice strip applicating device 60 has anenclosed rectangularly shaped vacuum container 62 fixedly mounted on ashaft 64 that rotates vacuum container 62 about an axis A—A. Stripapplicating device 60 includes two rectangularly shaped applicator heads66, 68 which are located on opposite ends of vacuum container 62. Eachhead 66, 68 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, preferably contains a plurality ofports 70, 72 connected to a vacuum pressure source (not shown) which canbe drawn from the vacuum container 62 through, for example an openpassage 65 through shaft 64. The vacuum pressure source is capable ofdrawing a vacuum of about one atmosphere. The amount of vacuum pressureis adjusted to hold a splice strip 22 on each of the applicator heads66, 68. The vacuum container 62 is reciprocally movable within a supportstructure (not shown) that includes a controller (not shown) that can beprogrammed to rotate one applicator head 66 through an arc of 180° froma splice strip load first position P₁ to a second position P₂ spacedabove surface 52 of anvil 46, as shown in FIG. 4. The splice stripapplicating device 60 is also programmed to move the applicator headthen disposed at second position P₂ (see FIG. 4) in a linear directionfor a distance D₃ from the second position P₂ to a third position P₃.The applicating device 60 at position P₃, then presses a splice strip22, as shown in FIG. 3, against the butt splice 21 until the splicestrip 22 is pressed into contact with the butt splice 21 previouslyformed on the anvil 46 with splicing bars 48,50 as described above.Device 60 is further programmed to withdraw the applicator head from thesplice 21 after the vacuum is turned off and the splice strip isreleased from the applicator head. Any suitable mechanical, pneumatic,hydraulic or servo-electric control, all of which are well known in theart, can be used for moving the vacuum container 62 through the sequenceof operations. It should be understood that each of the applicator heads66,68 preferably reciprocate together as a single unit toward and awayfrom the third position P₃ to apply the reinforcing strip 22 to the buttsplice 21. Alternatively, the heads 66,68 can be made independentlymovable with respect to the remainder of the vacuum container 62 towardand away from the position P₃ and butt splice 21.

The vacuum ports 70 on first applicator head 66 are preferably connectedthrough a manifold (not shown), possibly extending through bore 65extending though shaft 64, to a vacuum pressure source. The vacuum ports72 on second applicator head 68 are preferably connected through aseparate manifold to the same or a separate vacuum source. Throughsuitable valving and controls, a vacuum pressure can be selectivelydrawn on one applicator head at a time. The vacuum container 62 can bemounted for rotational and reciprocating movements and a separate vacuumhose can be coupled to each of the manifolds to selectively supplyvacuum through the ports 70, 72 of applicator heads 66,68, respectively.That is, the vacuum container 62 can rotate from position P₁ clockwise180° about axis A—A to position P₂. Then the head goes through areciprocating movement to a position P₃ to apply the splice strip andthen back to position P₂ from which the applicator head then rotatesback in the counter-clockwise direction to position P₁ to begin thecycle again.

Alternatively, the two applicator heads 66, 68 can be rotated about axisA—A 180° in the same direction between the splice strip load position P₁and the second position P₂. The applicator heads 66, 68 in thisalternative embodiment still have a reciprocating movement from positionP₂ to splice strip application location P₃. The latter embodiment willrequire journalling of the vacuum hoses to the vacuum source to permitthe continual rotation of a vacuum container 62 in the same direction.

FIG. 3 shows a pair of elastomeric sheets 12, 14 joined together to forma butt splice 21 by the movement of splicing bars 48,50 pressing theends of sheets 12,14 against each other. The two diagonal splicing bars48, 50 are shown withdrawn from the splice 21 and the strip applicatingdevice 60 is shown being moved down into position P₃ to press the splicestrip 22 against the butt spice 21 which in turn is being supported uponthe surface 52 of anvil 46. As the splice strip 22 moves into contactwith the butt splice 21, the vacuum to the first applicator head 66 isreleased. The tackiness of the uncured rubber splice strip 22 and theelastomeric sheets 12, 14 ensures that they remain adhered to oneanother as the strip applicator device 60 is moved away from the buttsplice 21 to position P₂.

FIG. 4 shows the next step in the sequence with arrows whereby the stripapplicator device 60 is rotated 180° to move the second applicator head68 loaded with a splice strip 22 to the second position P₂ above theanvil 46 as the empty applicator head 66 is rotated to the splice stripload position P₁ where another splice strip is loaded thereon.Concurrently, the elastomeric member 10 is moved to the right on theconveyor belts 32, 40 until the free end 18 of the elastomeric member 10is centered on surface 52 of anvil 46. A first elastomeric sheet 12 isthen moved toward anvil 46 by conveyor belt 40 until its forward freeedge 20 is in abutting relationship with the free edge 18 of the secondsheet 14 of member 10. This procedure can be repeated until a reinforcedelastomeric member having the desired length is formed.

The conveyor belts 32, 40 are capable of moving in the same direction orin opposite directions depending upon the end use requirements forfeeding elastomeric sheets 12,14 to the butt splicer 60 and to shift ortransfer the spliced elastomeric members 10 away. For example, if anelastomeric member is constructed of only two sheets, the two sheets maybe fed to the splicer on separate conveyor belts from oppositedirections where they meet, are butt spliced with the splicer bars, andare reinforced with the splice strip 22 to form the reinforcedelastomeric member 10. The member 10 is then transferred on eitherconveyor belt to the next station. Alternatively, if more than twosheets are to be spliced together, the first two sheets are spliced andare then transferred along one conveyor belt until the exposed or openedge of one of the sheets is positioned over the anvil. Then a thirdsheet is then moved on the other conveyor to abut the exposed edge andto form the splice as described before.

Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown a cross sectional view of arectangularly shaped vacuum container 62 the splice strip. Theapplicating device 60 is mounted to rotate on a shaft 64 about axis A—A.The chamber 62 has a first and second applicator heads 66, 68,respectively. The first applicator head 66 has a plurality of vacuumports 70. The second applicator head 68 likewise has a plurality ofvacuum ports 72. All of the vacuum ports in each head are typicallyconnected through a manifold (not shown) to a vacuum pump of knowndesign and operation, capable of drawing at least about 1 (one)atmosphere (760 mm of Hg). A vacuum hose 78 is shown passing through ahollow end 88 of the shaft 64 into the interior of the vacuum container62 where the hose may be split into two with each branch connectedthrough suitable valving (not shown) to one set of ports.

The vacuum container 62 can be controlled to rotate 180° on the shaft 64so as to move the applicator head 66 from the load position P₁, as shownin FIG. 4, where it receives a first splice strip 22 to the secondposition P₂ over a butt splice 21 while concurrently, the secondapplicator head 68 is rotated 180° back from the second position P₂ tothe load position P₁ for reloading with another splice strip 24.

The splice strips 22 can be loaded onto the applicator heads in thefollowing manner. A dispenser 90 holding a roll 98 of splice material ispositioned in proximity to the load position P₁. A gripper 92 ofconventional design grabs the free end 94 of the roll 98 of splicematerial and pulls it along the length of the applicator head 68 asshown. A vacuum pressure being present at ports 72 releasably holds thestrip to the applicator head 68. The cutter knife 96 then cuts thesplice material to the predetermined length corresponding to the lengthof the butt splice 21.

By using the method and a tire building device of the present invention,a tire can be built with improved uniformity and reduced incident offailure due to separations of the butt splices. Furthermore, by usingbutt splices instead of lap splices in the construction of the tire,there is a substantial reduction in the number of completed tires withvisually undesirable sidewall ripples. Finally, the production rate oftires can be substantially increased, such as in the order of 10%.

While the invention has been described in combination with embodimentsthereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of theforegoing teachings. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embraceall such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for applying a reinforcing splice stripover a butt splice between two elastomeric sheets characterized by: afirst applicator head for loading and releasably holding the splicestrip in a first load position; a second applicator head for loading andreleasably holding a second splice strip; means for moving the first andsecond applicator heads from the first load position to a secondposition spaced from the butt splice; means for moving the first andsecond applicator heads from the second position to a third position;means for releasing the splice strip from the first and secondapplicator heads wherein the first and second applicator heads arefitted to allow depressing the splice strip over the butt splice whileat the third position; means for selectively applying a vacuum pressureat a plurality of ports at the first and second applicator heads forseparately holding the splice strip on the first applicator head and thesecond splice strip on the second applicator head; a vacuum chambermounted on a shaft that moves through an arc about an axis A—A extendinglongitudinally through the shaft so that the first applicator head andthe second applicator head rotatingly move between the first loadposition and the second position; wherein the first applicator head andthe second applicator head are positioned on diametrically oppositesides of the axis A—A whereby one applicator head is in the first loadposition while the other applicator head is in the second position, andthe first applicator head and the second applicator head move through anarc of 180° about the axis A—A between the first load position and thesecond position; a dispenser for feeding material from a roll of splicematerial to either the first or the second applicator head; and agripper to clamp on to a free end of a strip forming the roll of splicematerial, and to load the strip on one of the first and secondapplicator heads while the one applicator head is in the first loadposition.
 2. The device of claim 1 further characterized by a cutter tocut the splice strip, while held on either the first or the secondapplicator heads, to a predetermined length corresponding to the lengthof a splice to be reinforced.
 3. A device for applying a reinforcingsplice strip over a butt splice between two elastomeric sheetscharacterized by: a first applicator head for loading and releasablyholding the splice strip in a first load position; a second applicatorhead for loading and releasably holding a second splice strip; means formoving the first and second applicator heads from the first loadposition to a second position spaced from the butt splice; means formoving the first and second applicator heads from the second position toa third position; means for releasing the splice strip from the firstand second applicator heads wherein the first and second applicatorheads are fitted to allow depressing the splice strip over the buttsplice while at the third position; a dispenser for feeding materialfrom a roll of splice material to either the first or the secondapplicator head; and a gripper to clamp on to a free end of a stripforming the roll of splice material, and to load the strip on one of thefirst and second applicator heads while the one applicator head is inthe first load position.
 4. The device of claim 3 further characterizedby a cutter to cut the splice strip, while held on either the first orthe second applicator heads, to a predetermined length corresponding toa length of the butt splice to be reinforced.
 5. The device of claim 3further characterized by means for selectively applying a vacuumpressure at a plurality of ports at the first and second applicatorheads for separately holding the splice strip on the first applicatorhead and the second splice strip on the second applicator head.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5 further characterized by a vacuum chamber mounted on ashaft that moves through an arc about an axis A—A extendinglongitudinally through the shaft so that the first applicator head andthe second applicator head rotatingly move between the first loadposition and the second position.
 7. The device of claim 6 characterizedby the first applicator head and the second applicator head beingpositioned on diametrically opposite sides of the axis A—A whereby oneapplicator head is in the first load position while the other applicatorhead is in the second position.
 8. The device of claim 7 furthercharacterized in that the first applicator head and the secondapplicator head move through an arc of 180° about the axis A—A betweenthe first load position and the second position.
 9. A method ofreinforcing a butt splice along ends of elastomeric sheets comprisingthe steps of: a) loading a splice strip onto an applicator head at afirst load position by using a gripper to clamp on to a free end of aroll of splice material, pulling the splice material onto the applicatorhead, and cutting the splice strip to a predetermined lengthcorresponding to a length of the butt splice to be reinforced; b)rotating the applicator head to a second position spaced from the buttsplice; c) translationally moving the applicator head to a thirdposition; d) pressing the splice strip into contact with the butt spliceat the third position; e) releasing the splice strip from the applicatorhead; and f) moving the applicator head from the third position to thesecond position.
 10. The method of claim 9 including the step of holdingthe splice strip on the applicator head by vacuum pressure.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 including the steps of: holding the splice strip tothe applicator head as the applicator head is moved from a first loadposition where the splice strip is loaded on the applicator head to thesecond position in proximity to the butt splice; moving the applicatorhead to the third position where the splice strip is pressed intocontact with the butt splice; and releasing the vacuum pressure onthe.applicator head to release the splice strip from the applicator headafter the splice strip is adhered to the butt splice.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 including the additional steps of: loading a second splicestrip onto a second applicator head in the first load position; movingthe second applicator head to the second position spaced from the buttsplice; moving the second applicator head to the third position to pressthe second splice strip into contact with a second butt splice; andreleasing the second splice strip from the second applicator head afterthe second splice strip is adhered to the second butt splice.
 13. Themethod of claim 12 including the steps of: positioning the applicatorhead and the second applicator head on diametrically opposite sides ofan axis A—A whereby one applicator head is in the first load positionwhile the other applicator head is in the second position; and rotatingthe applicator head and the second applicator head about the axis A—Athrough an arc of 180° between the first load position and the secondposition.